Biennial Ownership Report Filing Postponed Until June 1, 2027

Under the FCC’s rules, stations are required to file a biennial ownership report

every two years.  The filings are due in the odd-numbered years.  This year’s ownership reports would have been due on December 1, 2025, with a filing portal opening in October. This requirement has now been waived.  The FCC stated: 

        “By this Public Notice, the Media Bureau waives the requirement for broadcast licensees to file their biennial ownership reports on FCC Form 323 or 323-E for a period of 18 months.  Pursuant to the Commission’s rules, licensees of commercial and non-commercial full power television, Class A television, low power television, AM radio, and FM radio stations must file biennial ownership reports with the Commission in odd-numbered years.1 The next filing window for biennial ownership reports is scheduled to open on October 2nd of this year, with reports due by December 1st.....

        With the next filing window approaching, we find there is good cause to waive the biennial ownership report filing requirement for a period of 18 months and set a new filing deadline of June 1, 2027 or until further notice, whichever comes first.”

The FCC’s decision follows comments that were filed in its “Delete, Delete, Delete”

proceeding.  In that proceeding, a number of commenters noted that the filings were overly

burdensome with no real public benefit.  The Bureau made clear that the waiver did not

apply to broadcasters’ other ownership report filing requirements, including following the

acquisition of a full-power TV, AM, or FM station, or after a station’s original construction

permit is granted. 

You can see the FCC’s Public Notice here.